Saturday, May 19, 2012

Plantain for insect bite relief

In the spring and summer your kids - and you too- are more likely to be outside barefoot or rolling and playing in the grass. Getting an insect bite or sting can put an end to these happy go lucky times. This quick and easy bug bite and sting natural remedy never fails to work and to get the kids back on track for more outdoor adventures.

To squelch a bug bite or sting:

Quickly find a broad leaf plantain leaf - these are easily found as they are common weeds in almost all grassy areas. (This is one plant I would choose not to eradicate from my lawn because of these medicinal benefits.) It is low growing, dark green and broad, with "ribs" on the leaf - please look it up in a plant identification book if you are not sure.

Chew up the leaf - the saliva activates its sting stopping powers. (If you are afraid to chew it up then bite on it to break the skin and mix it with some of your saliva.)

Place the chewed up plantain leaf on the bug bite or sting. Almost immediately the pain will stop. You or your child can hold the plantain mass in place while you go inside and get the rest of the remedy.

Find your comfrey tincture (you do have a good herbal first aid kit, right?), a big Band-Aid (my kids always went for a gauze pad and first aid tape - so much more dramatic).

Leaving the plantain mass in place, secure it with the Band-Aid or gauze and first aid tape. Secured the bandage then dribble some comfrey tincture under the dressing and on the sting. The comfrey is soothing and cool and takes away any lingering pain, stinging or discomfort.

Leave on until it falls off later that day or the next morning. If it is a bad bite or sting, you may need to put a fresh plantain/comfrey dressing on the next day.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Helping a gluten allergy

Gluten allergy is a malabsorption syndrome which is caused by the ingestion of the gluten protein found in the wheat products. If the patient's sticks on to the gluten free diet then there is a drastic improvement in his condition.

Ayurveda suggests the following modified diet and lifestyle:

Wheat, rye, barley, oats and other related grains contain gluten and it better to avoid it totally. Avoid taking beer, cereal beverages, cakes, biscuits, ice-cream, processed soups, crackers, processed cheese/meats, candy bars.

Instead one may substitute rice, potato, corn, tapioca, chickpea, soya beans, arrowroot, carob, buckwheat, millet, amaranth and quinoa and gluten free flour. Few of the gluten-free foods and beverages are tea, coffee, rum, wine, jelly babies, chocolate, fresh fruits/ vegetables/fish/meat/poultry/eggs, popcorn, jam, honey and sugar. Take a lot of leafy green vegetables by cooking them in an appropriate manner and it has a lot of minerals which improves metabolism.

One may start with eating his favorite naturally gluten-free foods and then later add his unfavourite ones.

To mention a few : Wines and brandies without any preservatives and dyes in it. Gluten-free breads which has an easily digestible base ingredients like rice flours etc., All hard cheeses like cheddar, swiss, edam, and parmesan. Fresh brewed coffee, chocolate made with cocoa, fruit juices etc., Regarding snacks one may take rice wafers, potato or corn starch based chips, popcorn etc. In Sweets one may include sugar, honey, maple syrup, jellies, jams etc.,

One has to take care while buying bakery products and packed/processed food by inspecting the labels and avoid the products if it has gluten as its ingredient. Sometimes alternative names such as cereal products or emulsifiers, stabilizers, are also used in labels.

Always try to eat home made preparations where you will know the ingredients of your intake. Also note that if you have to avoid all the foods with gluten, it is definitely going to be so stressful which can be managed by yoga which comprises of postures, meditation and breathing techniques.